Associate Creative Director (ACD)

About the Opportunity

Are you ready to spark your passion? Then Sparkloft is ready for you! Our dynamic team in Portland is seeking an Associate Creative Director (ACD) who has a knack for asking the right questions and being part of the solution. We're in search of an individual who not only understands the significance of craftsmanship but has the desire to always be curious. 

Our future Associate Creative Director (ACD) is passionate about engaging campaigns that move the needle and drive real results for our clients. You will join our full-service creative team of photographers, videographers, designers, writers, editors, and motion specialists. A thorough understanding of current creative and social trends is a must. Here, your work will spark joy in the connection point between audiences and brands.

The Associate Creative Director (ACD) will drive the vision forward with team members on campaigns to ensure creative quality and on-brand delivery. Your responsibilities may include (but are not limited to): translating strategic direction into creative solutions for our clients, delivering engaging and compelling presentations through persuasive storytelling, developing work that is consistent with a brand’s look, feel, voice, and overall guidelines, and helping lead, manage and mentor junior creatives.

Please note that while we work in a hybrid work environment and we currently do not require team members to work from our office this position requires regular interactions with our team members as well as clients. As the majority of them reside in Portland (OR) and Atlanta (GA) we are only considering candidates who are currently living in or near either one of those cities.

About Us

Just as our name states, we spark ideas and ignite a passion for great storytelling. We are a team of connectors, collaborators, and creatives who see the value in both technology trends and the human experience. Our genesis is as a social-first agency, so we are experts at connecting with audiences at eye level in person and on social feeds. As we have evolved over the last 15 years, we have become community builders for brands to tell their story through integrated campaigns. We understand our audiences as wholly realized people with lives, loves, and dreams — not just as segments in need of activating. Our staff is made up of diverse minds, backgrounds, and perspectives to drive positive change for our clients, communities, and team members.

We’ve created groundbreaking work for clients around the world like Travel Oregon, Coca-Cola, Tillamook, Delta Air Lines, Amazon, Intel, Warner Bros. and Adidas. 

Job Responsibilities

• Help develop big ideas and social campaigns that fulfill strategic creative objectives based in research and emotional insights
• Direct all phases of creative work from concept through production
• Collaborate, challenge and enrich ideation and relationships across clients and internal departments
• Translate strategic direction into creative solutions of the highest caliber
• Deliver engaging and compelling presentations through persuasive storytelling
• Develop work that is consistent with a brand’s look, feel, voice and overall social guidelines
• Help lead, manage, and mentor junior creatives
• Support a culture of intense curiosity that keeps everybody up to date with innovative creative work across industries while embracing emerging trends and technologies

Qualifications

• 7+ years of professional level digital experience (with a minimum of two years working in social media) preferably working for an agency or with large brands
• Well versed in digital and social media with a passion for social media and social media trends
• Ability to work with C-level executives on client side as well as other client agencies on creative concepts
• A strong, award-winning portfolio equally showcasing strategic, conceptual thinking, visual design, and storytelling through social media
• Advanced understanding of branding, marketing, and advertising, with accolades from prior experience
• Excellent written and presentation skills with demonstrable ability to articulate and persuasively sell creative concepts within agency and directly to clients
• Expert at leading brainstorms, developing briefs, and applying strategy
• Ability to work on multiple projects and brands simultaneously while maintaining attention to detail
• Strong leadership skills with a track record of creating collaborative work environments
• The ability to follow direction and take constructive criticism
• The ability to translate strategic direction into creative solutions of the highest caliber

Requirements for all Sparkloft Media positions

• Care more: exceptional customer service skills
• Curiosity: a high level of interest in constantly learning new things
• Problem Solving: ability to identify and understand problems and willingness to solve them
• Spark Joy: a high level of awareness for the needs of colleagues, clients, and the Sparkloft Media business
• A global perspective and understanding of different cultures (ideally obtained through lots of travel)
• The absolute willingness to occasionally work nights, weekends, or holidays, as productions can occur at these times